Chapter Forty-Six: Your Highness, someone is talking badly about you!

With Master Xuanmi's command, the farce was finally brought back on track. Although everyone's minds were already in turmoil from the gossip about Prince Jing embracing his wife in public, when Zhu Zhi unfolded the bright yellow edict, all the nobles in the court knelt down in unison.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees," Zhu Zhi's voice echoed across the altar.

"Since ancient times, the rise and fall of a nation has been determined by fate. Today, there is the National Master Fang Xu of Longhua Temple who can observe the stars to know the fortunes of the nation and use divination to determine the fate of the nation."

"This system is specially established: all those blessed with good fortune, regardless of gender, shall enter the Imperial Preceptor's Office to study the arts of sacrifice and astrology, so as to ensure the longevity of our Great Lin Kingdom. If they are men, they shall be appointed as Vice Ministers of the Imperial Observatory, participating in the administration of the court; if they are women..."

Zhu Zhi paused subtly, his gaze sweeping over Li Yan's eyes, which had suddenly lit up. "Then bestow a marriage upon her in the Eastern Palace, appoint her as the Crown Prince's concubine, and choose an auspicious day for the wedding."

Li Yan couldn't wait to kowtow, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

This is the Crown Prince's concubine! Originally, her plan was the Crown Princess's, and although it didn't achieve her desired outcome, the position of Crown Prince's concubine was still one she could never have reached before!

Now he could openly step on Li Bao'er to get ahead. The thought that no matter how much Li Bao'er disliked her in the future, she would still have to bow to her made Li Yan feel extremely happy.

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the entire audience erupted in uproar.

The two daughters of the Prime Minister's family, one is about to become the Princess Consort of Prince Jing, and the other has been promoted to the position of Consort of the Crown Prince. Such immense wealth and status is something that even members of the imperial family may not be able to attain.

*

Not long after Mu Cenlin forcefully left Longhua Temple with Li Bao'er, an imperial decree was delivered to the Prime Minister's residence ahead of time, sending Li Yan to the palace to learn the etiquette of becoming a concubine of the Crown Prince.

The news instantly caused an uproar in the backyard of the Prime Minister's residence.

Aunt Zhang's courtyard erupted in cheers, and she herself wept with joy, as if she had finally been able to vent her frustrations after many years. She immediately helped up Old Madam Li, who had also rushed over upon hearing the news and was beaming with happiness. The group of people walked in a grand procession, overjoyed.

Li Xiangyuan has not yet returned to the manor today. After receiving the imperial decree, Wang Shufen did not see Li Bao'er and Wang Qingzhi, and she was dissatisfied, so she went to Qingfeng Courtyard.

"Where's Bao'er? Come out here right now!" As soon as Madam Li entered the room, she shouted loudly, her cane thumping on the ground. She was arrogant and haughty. "Yan'er has been made a concubine of the Crown Prince. This is a great joy! Our Li family has produced a noble person. As her elder sister, why don't you come out to congratulate her?"

Zhang Yingying stood to the side, holding an embroidered handkerchief, pretending to wipe away tears, but her voice betrayed an undisguised smugness: "Yes, Bao'er. Although your marriage to Prince Jing is not yet officially settled, Yan'er is now His Highness the Crown Prince's woman, and her status is different from before. As her older sister, you should also know some manners and etiquette, and not act like you used to... Sigh, never mind, now that Yan'er is overjoyed, let's not talk about the past."

These words, while seemingly praising, were actually criticizing, directly putting Li Bao'er down and implying that she was not as noble as Li Yan, and further implying that she had not known proper etiquette in the past.

Linglong was so angry that her face turned pale, but she dared not contradict the old lady and the powerful Aunt Zhang.

Li Bao'er had just changed out of her cumbersome dress and was looking for some peace and quiet when she was given a headache by the commotion. She slowly walked out of the inner room and looked calmly at the group of people who seemed to have ill intentions.

"Grandmother, Aunt Zhang," she said calmly, "I am naturally happy for my sister's joyous occasion. May I ask what brings you two here in such great detail?"

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Madam Li's anger flared up, and she sneered, "Instruction? Of course, I'm here to teach you manners! As the Crown Prince's concubine's own sister, your words and actions will represent the concubine's reputation from now on!"

"From today onwards, the expenses in your courtyard will be halved, and the extra allowance will be used to supplement Yan'er's allowance. Her status is different now, and there are many things that need to be taken care of!"

Aunt Zhang quickly chimed in, "Mother is right. Also, Bao'er, your maid Linglong is clumsy and awkward. Why don't you send her to Yan'er's courtyard for a few days to learn some manners?"

This is clearly an attempt to eliminate her trusted confidants.

Li Bao'er's eyes turned slightly cold; this humiliation had come so quickly.

Just as she was about to speak, Old Madam Li added, her tone condescending, "As for the household affairs, your mother is ill and weak, and has been unable to manage them. From now on, Yingying will temporarily take charge, so you can learn a lot and not be caught off guard when you arrive at the Prince Jing's Mansion, which has little future."

They kept referring to Li Bao'er as the Crown Prince's concubine and Prince Jing as having no future, their every word belittling Li Bao'er and her future destiny. Their arrogance was practically ready to lift the roof off.

Upon hearing this, Li Bao'er laughed instead of getting angry: "So, in your hearts, my marriage into the Prince Jing's mansion is like jumping into a fire pit?"

Zhang Yingying immediately covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes full of disdain: "Do you really think you've married a lucky man? What good is a prince who is not favored, no matter how great his military achievements are? In the future, he will still have to listen to Yan'er's husband."

That damn woman has such a nasty way of talking, but she'll pay for what she said soon enough!

Li Bao'er turned her head and shouted into the room, "Your Highness, someone is talking badly about you! Saying that our Prince's Mansion has no future!"

"The future of my royal palace is none of the concern of a concubine and an old lady."

A cold, deep voice, carrying immense pressure, suddenly came from the inner room door behind Li Bao'er!

Mu Cenlin walked out slowly, dressed in green robes with black hair, his face frosty, his eyes sharp as knives, shooting straight at the frozen Old Madam Li and Aunt Zhang.

Behind him followed Li Yu, who had a look of anticipation on his face.

Why was Mu Cenlin in the mansion?! And why was he in the inner room the whole time?! What about what they were saying just now…?

The color drained from the faces of Madam Li and Aunt Zhang instantly, their legs went weak, and they almost collapsed to the ground!

Mu Cenlin walked to Li Bao'er's side: "I never knew that my marriage and future were something for a concubine of the Prime Minister's mansion and an old woman in the inner quarters to comment on and belittle?"

"Your Highness, please calm down!" Old Madam Li was so frightened that her tongue was tied in knots. "I...I didn't mean that."

Aunt Zhang knelt down with a thud, trembling like a leaf: "I dare not! I misspoke! Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

"Dare not?" Mu Cenlin sneered, "I think you'd be very bold."

His gaze fell on Old Madam Li: "Since Old Madam feels that my Prince's manor is a pit of fire and will wrong Miss Li, then all of Miss Li's expenses from now on will be borne by my Prince Jing's manor, without the Prime Minister's manor having to worry about it. As for reducing expenses, ha,"

"Anyone who dares to touch her allowance is going against the Jingwang Mansion."

Then, he looked at Zhang Yiniang, who was kneeling on the ground: "As for you, a mere concubine, you dare to speak ill of a prince, utter vile words, and commit insubordination! Guards!"

Yuan Ting and Feng Li followed him and immediately stepped forward.

"Drag her out and slap her twenty times. Make sure she remembers what she should and shouldn't say." Mu Cenlin's voice was devoid of any warmth.

"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!" Aunt Zhang cried out in terror, but the two men dragged her away without any mercy. Soon, crisp, harsh slapping sounds and suppressed cries echoed from outside the courtyard.

Madam Li was so frightened that she turned pale and trembled all over, not daring to utter another word.

Mu Cenlin gave her a final, cold glance: "Madam is getting old. It would be best if she stayed in her own courtyard and lived a peaceful life, minding her own business. If she's bored out of her mind, she might as well copy a few more Buddhist scriptures to calm her mind."

Madam Li felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She was both ashamed and frightened. Supported by her maid, she almost fled in panic, forgetting even to take her cane.

The group of people who were just arrogant and domineering suddenly scattered like birds and beasts.

Qingfeng Courtyard was finally restored to its former tranquility.

Li Yu watched in stunned silence, then cast an admiring glance at Mu Cenlin. This brother-in-law is amazing!